Subnautica 2 publisher changes from Krafton to the game's devs on Xbox and Steam amid Early Access legal battle — is Unknown Worlds indie once more?

If you've been following the news surrounding Unknown Worlds Entertainment's highly anticipated underwater survival game sequel and Xbox Game Pass entry Subnautica 2, then you're no doubt aware of the souring relationship between its developers and publisher Krafton that's unfolded throughout the past year. Now, those deteriorating relations may have led to the two groups severing their partnership completely.

In case you're not aware of what's been going on, here's the situation: Krafton delayed Subnautica 2's Early Access release into 2026 last year at the same time it fired the series' founders and CEO Ted Gill, igniting controversy as fans and Unknown Worlds' leadership speculated this was done to avoid paying a $250 million bonus to the game's developers for achieving a successful 2025 Early Access launch.

The founders then filed a lawsuit against Krafton, with the publisher defending its actions by claiming Unknown Worlds' leadership was negligent and that Subnautica 2 wasn't ready for release. A judge ultimately sided with the founders and ordered Krafton to reinstate Ted Gill, give him full control over the Early Access release, and extend the offer of the bonus; an internal memo then claimed the game was ready for a May release, which the founders argued was a violation of that order.

We haven't heard anything about the ongoing case since late March, but notably, Krafton is now no longer listed as Subnautica 2's publisher on Xbox or Steam — the game's two Early Access platforms available to players on console and PC. It's now stated to be Unknown Worlds Entertainment.

While nothing official has been announced by either Unknown Worlds or Krafton, the quiet change of the game's listed publisher has many in the community wondering if Krafton is no longer involved with Subnautica 2, or perhaps even with the game's developers themselves.

Notably, Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds in late 2021 for $500 million as part of "its commitment to driving the future of content development by adding industry visionaries to its collective of independent video game development studios."

At the time, CEO Changhan "CH" Kim said that "Krafton will spare no effort in helping them. Not only do they enhance our development capabilities, but we share a goal of creating unique experiences for global audiences."

The falling out between the publisher and developers in the past year has been swift and steep, however, and it honestly wouldn't surprise me if the decision was made to cut ties after all the bad blood that's come from this lawsuit. It's impossible to say for sure if there was a split without official confirmation, but all signs point to the possibility.

What do you think? Do you believe these changed listings indicate that Krafton and Unknown Worlds are severing their partnership, or do you think it's just an error of some sort? Let me know in the comments, and vote in our poll about the dispute between them as well.

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